Australia's Downer shows contempt for democracy
Downer recognising Papuan occupation shows contempt for democracy - Brown
The Minister for Foreign Affairs'
subservient agreement to recognise
Jakarta's control over
West Papua shows an enormous contempt for democracy and
freedom in our neighbourhood, Greens leader Bob Brown said
today.
"The double standard is astounding. The government has sent Australian troops to the other side of the world to defend freedom and democracy but is turning its back on our Papuan neighbours call for their own act of free choice," Senator Brown said.
In a recent Newspoll, 77% of Australians backed an act of free choice for West Papua.